Homelessness Essay

For the most part, the human race has a natural instinct to want to help those in need but acting on this instinct is often easier said than done. In today’s society people tend to lead lives with a heavy focus on materialistic gain, personal appearance and perceived social standings. In trying to attain these things, as a society, we are overlooking the rising issue of homelessness and the issues that lead people to a life on the streets. ‘But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’ (Luke 14:13-14) By ignoring these issue’s we are widening the gulf between those who have ‘everything’ and those that have ‘nothing’. As Catholic’s we are called by Pope Francis to respond to the issue of homelessness. Some people are forced to live in conditions that are considered to be below the poverty line with little access to amenities that are essential to survive. In these circumstances, where some don’t have somewhere to call home, their dignity and rights as a human have been forgotten, even exploited. Although there are those that choose to turn a blind eye to this problem, there are also groups that are providing services and trying to improve conditions for these people in need.

As humans we are taught from a very young age that we deserve dignity and have a basic right to life. ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’ (United Nations, 1948) In Australia, there are currently 105,237 people that are living in some state of homelessness without their basic rights or dignity (Homelessness Australia, 2012). People can find themselves at risk of becoming homeless for many different reasons. Some of the main reasons outlined by the Salvation Army were addiction,...

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...﻿Homelessness
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When it was voiced that instead of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume, it would be better if it was sold and the proceeds given to the poor, Jesus made this statement, “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good” (Mark 14:7 NKJV). In context, it was not that Jesus was being insensitive to the needs of the poor; He promoted helping and caring for the less fortunate (Matthew 25:31-46). This statement is about a reality of the society. No matter how much we try, and what programs we instill, we will always have the poor among us.
One of the urgent needs of the poor is the need for shelter. Homelessness is a real and frightening reality. According to a 2010 report done by the Us Department and Urban Development (HUD), 407,966 individuals were homeless in shelters, transitional housing programs, or on the streets (this number does not include persons in family households). 109,812 individuals were chronically homeless, a 1% decrease from the previous year. This same report showed that just within a one year period, 1,593,150 individuals experienced homelessness. .
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Homelessness
Dewayne Henderson
BSHS/465
July 21, 2014
Tanisha Laidler
Homelessness
Introduction
Human service workers help people who are homeless to meet basic needs. Human service workers may refer clients to a variety of providers, such as temporary or permanent housing facilities, organizations that serve meals, and job centers that can assist the client in learning new skills or finding jobs. Some clients can need help finding treatment to address and underlying cause of homelessness.
Working closely with the client, human service workers identify problems and create a plan for service to help the client solve these problems. The process may include a multitude of helping techniques by evaluating the client support system, environment, and values are tailored to each individual’s needs.
Human service workers cannot force help on someone who does not want it, and human service workers cannot take over a client’s life. Instead human service professionals tried to help every client make good decisions, find resources to overcome problems, and inspire the client to make improvements. The goal of a human service professional when helping the homeless population is to provide every resource possible to help the client not only find housing, but teach the client the skills he or she need to meet his or her basic needs.
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...other debt; it’s an endless cycle. People encounter a homeless person every day without taking a second to think about or acknowledge them. Sometimes you get the odd person who will just turn their head in disgust and in some cases give them change. In my personal experience I have been with my friends when they either put them down or sometimes yell at them directly. The two most common sayings I have heard is “Get a job you bum”, “Go to school you bum”. People fail to look at the homeless as an oppressing issue rather they often view it as a weakness. Homelessness effects public safety, cost of living, tourism and the local government. In saying all that I do not have any sympathy for the homeless that are lazy or addicted to any sort substance.
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...Homelessness Defined
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...Michelle Miss. Martin
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The United States is a rich country it should not have high percentages of homelessness. People from many other parts of the world come to the United States to live. How do citizens end up homeless? Before the deflation California, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington State had the highest rates of homelessness (Homelessness 25). “Do you have a quarter?” Every time I drive up and down in Ventura I see “Quarter Bob,” a homeless man in Ventura. He is one of the nicest homeless persons you will ever come across. Bob is either walking from the Westside back to the east or seen on Victoria Ave standing in front of Vons or CVS, where he asks whoever crosses his path for a quarter. Now you know how he got his nickname. Bob has been homeless for about five years. I still do not know the reason why he is homeless because I can barely understand him when he speaks due to the fact that he has no teeth. Homelessness is a serious problem because it mostly has to do with poverty, domestic violence, abuse of alcohol or drugs, unemployment, and shortage of affordable housing. Homeless people like Bob ask pedestrians for spare change, and sleep in public places. The real cause of homelessness is that many of them are disabled, veterans with post-traumatic-syndrome-disuse, and drug or alcohol abusers.
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...HOMELESSNESS
DEFINITION
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.
The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region.
The term homeless may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in ahomeless shelter, a warming center, a domestic violence shelter or other ad hoc housing situation.
Scenario in Ireland:
Every three years Irish local authorities assess the numbers of homeless people in their area, as part of the Department of Environment, Heritage and LocalGovernment's Assessment of Housing Need. The most recent national figures from this survey show that in 2005 there were 2,399 homeless people in need of housing. This figure includes only those on local authority housing lists who have declared themselves to be homeless.
In 2008, the Homeless Agency conducted a survey of homelessness in Dublin. It counted 2366 people homeless in the city, of whom 110 were sleeping rough.
Labour TD, Eamon Gilmore recently claimed that over 1,000 young people were homeless in the Greater Dublin area, and according to Roughan MacNamara of Focus Ireland, at least 100 of them are sleeping out on their own.
FACTORS LEADING TO...

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Homelessness Is Rising
In The United States
Prepared for
Dr. Guzman-Trevino
Prepared by
Summer Loerakker
May 6, 2014
Summer R. Loerakker
11861 State Hwy 53
Summer_ward80@yahoo.com
Temple, TX 76501
(254) 778-6165
May 6, 2014
Dr. Guzman-Trevino
Temple College
2600 South First Street
Temple, TX 76504-7435
Dear Dr. Guzman-Trevino:
: in the main three areas contributing to the rising numbers of the homeless in the United States.
This research was conducted to examine the main three contributing factors:
The lack of supportive services for mental illness.
The scarcity of affordable housing.
The shortage of jobs that pay enough to cover housing costs.
Sincerely,
Summer Loerakker
Student
SRL
Attachment
Table of Contents
Letter of Transmittal ii
Executive Summary iv
Problem 1
Discussion and Findings 1
Conclusions and Recommendations 2
Works Cited
List of Figures
Figure
1 Eliminated Jobs
2
Executive Summary
The homeless of the United States would benefit from improvement in mental health programs, expansion of affordable housing, and an increase in available jobs that pay enough to cover housing costs. My conclusion that the homeless would benefit from these changes is based on information obtained from professional reports, academic journals, and news articles that I have researched for this report.
Examination of this information exposed three issues that have caused homelessness to rise:...